Joe, I would recommend chrome moly steel personally, that is what I chose
for the uprated axles I am selling. Specifically 4130 or 4340 steel, which
can be hardened to 180ksi ultimate tensile strength and still retain the
ability to stretch a bit rather than fail catastrophically. We make a lof of
critical aerospace parts from it. It is going to be cheaper than 13-8
stainless which has even better properties. One caveat, these alloys do not
through harden well, that is the center and outside will be different, and
they move when heat treated. You will have to specify where on the blank you
want the hardness checked (may have to cut one up) or.... rough machine,
heat treat and then finish machine. That is a lot of material to remove but
it cuts well, actually better when hardened. There are more expensive
choices still, such as Maraging, titanium, etc. but unless you recently won
the lottery chrome moly is a better choice.
Mark
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe Curry" <spitlist@cox.net>
To: <fot@autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2004 5:18 PM
Subject: Axle Steel
> All you metallurgists out there, I need some help.
>
> In trying to get my stub axles built, I am seeking recommendations for
> the type of steel stock from which to turn down the shafts I am
> designing and afterwards have them heat treated. So I need stock that
> is strong and will take heat treatment to make a part that will hold up
> to the rigors of independent syspension.
>
> I am not familiar with all the specs of the various metals so I am
> relying on the wisdom of this group to provide not only a recommendation
> for the type to use and also any sources for the blank material from
> which to machine them.
>
> I am thinking that I need to start with round material 5" in diameter
> and about 7" long for each axle.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Joe (C)
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